It's not about food or drink but about you and me

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ...

-Romans 14:17

Last post was about alcohol and its possible effect on stroke risk.

Now, a different alcohol angle.

Where did you grow up? My hometown was in a "dry" county, a place with alcohol restrictions and lots of people who just didn't approve of alcohol.

With that background, I especially appreciate Paul was saying in his letters to the churches in Rome. It's not the food or drinking, but how you affect other people. Around people who struggle with alcoholism? Then don't tempt them. Around people who struggle with diet? Watch what you put on your own plate.

If something you do weakens someone else - weakens in the sense of that person's relationship with God - then for heaven's sake, stop it.

In other words, be decent to each other, Paul is saying. Accept each other, strengths and weaknesses, and do what you can for each other. If only the entire world operated that way.

I like those words. The world is not ruled by food or drink - yes, necessary, but that's not we're talking about here. Read the book of Acts if you want a sense of why Christians today eat some "forbidden" foods.

What's your take on Paul's writings?